World Cup History: Last 10 Golden Ball winners

A look at the winners of the Golden Ball in the last 10 FIFA World Cups. The Golden Ball goes to the best player in the tournament.

In the 1974 World Cup, Johann Cruyff cemented his legendary career by leading Holland past East Germany, Brazil and Argentina to meet West Germany in the final, where Holland lost 2-1. (STF/AFP/Getty Images)

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Mario Kempes scored two goals in the 1978 World Cup Final at River Plate Stadium, including one in extra time that secured Argentina with a 3-1 win over Holland.

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After his alleged involvement in the infamous betting scandal Totonero, Paolo Rossi's six goals in the 1982 World Cup -- all in the knockout stage -- lead Italy to the title game, where it defeated West Germany 3-1. (Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup was only one of five goals he scored in the tournament. Argentina defeated West Germany in the final to win it all. (Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

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Initially a substitute on Italy's roster in the 1990 World Cup, striker Salvatore Schillaci came out of nowhere to put in 6 goals, leading host-nation Italy to the semi finals, where it lost to Argentina on penalties. (STAFF/AFP/Getty Images)

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Romario holds the 1994 World Cup trophy after Brazil defeated Italy in a penalty shootout the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Romario scored five goals in the tournament. (Ben Radford/Getty Images)

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Brazilian phenom Ronaldo made a splash in 1998. His 4 goals lead Brazil to Final, before the team melted down and lost 3-0 to host nation France. Ronaldo has 15 World Cup goals in his career, the most ever by any player. (Clive Brunskill/Allsport)

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In the 2002 World Cup, Germany's Oliver Kahn became the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball, conceding only 3 goals in the entire tournament. 2 of those came in Germany's 2-0 loss to Brazil in Final. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

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Everyone remembers the Zinedine Zidane head-butt of Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final that got Zidane ejected and gave Italy the Cup. No one remembers that Zidane played flawlessly up to that pont. (JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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Striker Diego Forlán lead Urugay to the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup. Here he vies for the ball in a Round of 16 match with South Korea. (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images)